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Senate Democrats blocked a vote on legislation sponsored by Senator Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth) which requires the seizure of firearms when a mental health professional determines a patient poses a threat of harm to themselves or others.

Senate Democrats blocked a vote on legislation sponsored by Sen. Jennifer Beck which requires the seizure of firearms when a mental health professional determines a patient poses a threat of harm to themselves or others. (SenateNJ.com)

The legislation, S-2615, was previous approved by the General Assembly in a 45-24-5 vote.

“Most reasonable people agree that patients suffering from mental illness should not have a firearm if it’s believed they pose a risk to themselves or someone else,” said Beck. “This legislation should not be controversial or partisan. I’m disappointed that Senate Democrats would not allow this carefully considered bill to advance.”

This bill shouldn't be controversial or partisan. I'm disappointed Senate Dems would not allow this bill to advance. https://t.co/lQqyD0xtep

Beck said this legislation would provide mental health professionals a critical tool to prevent gun violence.

“We’ve seen too many instances where people who were on the radar of mental health professionals still had the capability of inflicting great harm,” added Beck. “I believe this bill strikes the right balance of protecting individual rights, while providing the medical community a more straight-forward mechanism for protecting the public.”